2017 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 917 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 32 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleDec 19, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Campaign 19V910000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, columnOct 6, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Campaign 16V716000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionAug 3, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Campaign 16V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, columnDo not drive until repairedMay 11, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Campaign 16V292000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
391 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2021
IN HOME DRIVEWAY, CAR WON'T START, BATTERY DEAD. TOWED TO DEALER, BATTERY GOOD BUT NEEDED CHARGE. DEC11, 2020, IN DRIVEWAY, CAR WON'T START, AND CLICKING NOISE IN REAR POWER GATE, TOWED TO DEALER. BATTERY TESTED BAD, REPLACED. ALSO REPLACED PRG MODULE FOR REAR GATE. MAR 8, 2021, IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME, WON'T START. JUMPED AND DROVE TO DEALER...(THIS NEW BATTERY) CHARGED AND TESTED, FAILED, SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, AGAIN. "PARASITIC DRAW TEST FOUND 45MA OF DRAW, BELOW MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DRAW SPECIFICATION OF 70MA. VERIFIED CORRECT AND NORMAL OPERATION. TEST CODE:. K1GKF40-2FCL091"
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2021
WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF, SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY SO THAT IT VERY OFTEN DOES NOT START IN THE MORNING.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021
AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE, THE OEM BATTERY WAS NOT KEEPING THE CHARGE OR WAS DRAINING DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMPED A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES BUT REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ANOTHER OEM BATTERY, QUITE UNUSUAL UNTIL I READ AN ARTICALE ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU. IN 2020, THE NEW OEM BATTERY WAS HAVING ISSUES REQUIRING I JUMP IT SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS AWAY FROM HOME AT THE TIME AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS. THEY TESTED THE 2ND OEM BATTERY AND ADVISED THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND NOT HOLDING THE CHARGE. AT THAT TIME I PURCHASED A DIEHARD BATTERY AND HAVE HAD NO ISSUES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. AS I STATED ABOVE, I HAVE READ THAT SUBARU IS IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD AND WANTED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RECORDED.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY DIED LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS DEAD.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE ON MY OWN SINCE I WAS TOLD THEY AREN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE BATTERIES DISCHARGE ON THEIR OWN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED. I HAVE TO USE A BATTERY CHARGER ALL THE TIME OR THE BATTERY IS DEAD WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR. I PUT THE LAST BATTERY IN AROUND AUG 2020.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
DURING FIRST 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OUR NEW CAR HAS FAILED TO START MANY TIMES AND EMERGENCY SERVICE CALLED TO JUMP START VEHICLE AS BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED AFTER POWER TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT ANY ACTIVATION WHILE PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. BATTERY DISCHARGED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT TRUNK ACTIVITY, SIMPLY PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR GARAGE WITH EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL CHECKED AND TURNED OFF. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY 4/20. BATTERY DISCHARGED AGAIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO (3/06/2021) WHILE HAVING TRUNK OPEN TO CLEAN INSIDE OF CAR. VERY CONCERNED AS TO BEING STRANDED AGAIN DUE TO SAFETY..
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
VEHICLE'S BATTERY WENT DEAD AT ABOUT 22,283 MILES IN JAN OF 2020. BATTERY WOULD KEEP DYING EVEN AFTER PROPER JUMPING. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED OF SOFTWARE ISSUE DRAINING THE BATTERY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID AN UPDATE AND REPLACED BATTERY. A YEAR LATER, VEHICLE IS HAVING BATTERY ISSUES AGAIN (BATTERY KEPT DYING- MULTIPLE TIMES- EVEN AFTER DRIVING TO TRY TO "CHARGE" BATTERY). VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP IN FEB 2021 AT 23,560 MILES. DIFFERENT STATEMENTS WERE MADE BY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDING MORE POWER THAN THE BATTERY COULD PROVIDE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD A SOLUTION, A BIGGER BATTERY. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR THEY JUST SWAPPED OUT THE BATTERY WITH THE SAME SIZE BATTERY. THEY DIDN'T TELL ME (TRIED TO HIDE IT). WHEN I CONFRONTED THEM, THEY ADVISED THAT SUBARU DIDN'T HAVE A FIX YET FOR THE DRAINING OF THE BATTERY. SUBARU SAYS I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP BRINGING IN MY VEHICLE EVERY TIME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY UNTIL THEY COME OUT WITH A FIX. PLEASE NOTE: SUBARU APPEARS TO TRY AND HIDE THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. NONE OF THIS INFORMATION WAS ON MY SERVICE PAPER WORK AND THEY ONLY SPOKE ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN FEB 2021 AFTER I BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE AFTER READING FORUMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED BEGAN HAVING DEAD BATTERY ISSUES AT NEARLY 15,000 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE VISITING THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER WE RETURNED FROM A SHORT HIKE. IT LEFT US STRANDED AND FORCED TO WALK 4.5 MILES TO GAIN CELL SERVICE TO CALL FOR HELP. MY CAR NOW HAS 36,000 MILES AS OF 3/16/21 AND IS ON ITS THIRD BATTERY. THIS TIME I BOUGHT THE BEST BATTERY I COULD FIND AND AM HOPING FOR THE BEST. SOMETHING KEEPS DRAINING THE BATTERY, LEAVING ME IN ONE BIND AFTER ANOTHER. WITH NO HELP DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHAT MORE CAN I DO???
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY APPEARS TO DRAIN OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME RESULTING IN: P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, B2320 BACK &SIDE RADAR LOW VOLTAGE, C1413 ANTILOCK BRAKES VOLTAGE MALFUNCTION, B2500 POWER LIFT GATE VOLTAGE MALFUNCTION, B2A07 TELEMATICS BATTERY CHARGE HISTORY FAULT, B1011 BATTERY POWER SUPPLY CONTROL MALFUNCTION, B1013 IGNITION POWER SUPPLY FAILURE, AND B1014 ACCESSORY POWER SUPPLY FAILURE. ALL IS TAKING PLACE WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN HEATED GARAGE.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY DIED TWICE WHEN CAR WAS INACTIVE FOR ONE WEEK. BOTH TIMES HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY.
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2021
OVER 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (NEW WHEN PURCHASED IN FEB 2017) HAVE EXPERIENCED 6 OCCURRENCES (FIRST IN JAN 2018) OF VEHICLE FAILING TO START DUE TO DEAD BATTERY. ORIGINAL BATTERY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN AUG 2019. AS OF TODAY (03/15/2021) BATTERY IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN BY DEALER AT MY COST. NO OTHER PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED BY DEALER. VEHICLE ALWAYS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. APPROX 42K MILES ON ODOMETER.
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2021
BATTERY FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER PLAYING RADIO 15 MINUTES, AFTER TAILGATE LEFT UP FOR 1/2 HOUR. DEALER REPROGRAMMED ECU TO INCREASE CHARGING, WOULD NOT START AND DEALER SAID ALL NORMAL ON 1/12/19@ 18,301 MILES. I REPLACED IT WITH THE LARGER CAPACITY BATTERY AT AUTOZONE. SINCE THEN NO BATTERY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, I AM STILL AFRAID TO PLAY RADIO OR HAVE TAILGATE UP FOR A LONG PERIOD.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021
WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN OUR SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS LAST ONE ONLY LASTED 2-3 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2021
THE BATTERY DIES IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE IN THE H LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE SUBARU DEALER HAS CHECKED IT OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2021
PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN MAY 2017. BOB MOORE SUBARU. I JUST REPLACED THE 4TH BATTERY ON MARCH 8,2021. FOUR BATTERIES IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS. SERVICE HAS CHECKED THE SYSTEM BEFORE ON 3/8/21. SUBARU JUST SAYS IT CHECKS OUT AND THATS IT. HOW WOULD THE OWNERS OF THE COMPANY LIKE TO REPLACE A BATTERY EVERY YEAR. HOW WOULD ANYONE LOOK YOU IN THE FACE AND SAY- IT CHECKS OUT FINE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. CAR IS GARAGE KEPT, PERFECT CONDITION AND DROVE EVERYDAY. IT IS DEAD THE NEXT DAY WITH NO SIGNS OF BEING WEAK. FOB IS IN BACK OF MY HOUSE.
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2021
REPEATED BATTERY FAILURES. PURCHASED VEHICLE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN SEPTEMBER 2020 WITH 11,000 MILES ON IT. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP TWICE SINCE THEN, AND VEHICLE STILL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO START UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, REQUIRING JUMP-START.
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2021
BATTERY HAS DIED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, BATTERY REPLACED AFTER IT DIED THE FIRST TIME IN 2018. NEW BATTERY, ONLY APPROX. 2 YEARS OLD, DIED TWICE IN 2 WEEKS. ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER I HAD THE BACK HATCH AND/OR DOORS OPEN 20-30 MINUTES, SOMETIMES WHILE CLEANING THE INTERIOR. THE THIRD TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER HAVING THE BACK HATCH OPEN APPROX. 5 MINUTES AFTER TAKING SOME ITEMS OUT OF THE BACK. ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR WAS OFF AND IN THE GARAGE.
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2021
THE KEY GETS STUCK RANDOMLY IN THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING AROUND AND PARKING THE OUTBACK. HAVE TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE SHIFTER TO HOPEFULLY GET THE KEY OUT. AT THIS TIME, IT'S RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT. IT'S A CONCERN THAT IT WILL BE A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND ONE DAY THE KEY WON'T COME OUT AT ALL. IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AS SUBARU HAS A TSB 16-112-18R FOR THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AFTER FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP AT ABOUT 42,000 MILES. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SPILLS OR CONTAMINATION THAT I KNOW OF. IT STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2021 AND HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A HALF DOZEN TIMES. HTTPS://WWW.TSBSEARCH.COM/SUBARU/16-112-18R
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2021
A NEW BATTERY DIED AFTER 7 MONTHS USE. I REPLACED IT. THE NEWER ONE DIED IN 5 DAYS. I READ THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ABOUT THIS MODEL DRAINING BATTERIES PREMATURELY. EACH TIME, WE WENT TO USE THE VEHICLE, STATIONARY, AND FOUND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD.
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2021
MY BATTERY DIES OFTEN. BATTERY WAS REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND NOW IT IS DEAD AGAIN. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2021
BATTERY DIES AFTER THE VEHICLE IS IDLE MORE THAN A WEEK. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY LASTED THREE YEARS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH THE REPLACEMENT, WHICH IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN 20K MILES.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 27, 2021
REPEATED PROBLEM OF BATTERY DRAINING, USUALLY WHEN HATCHBACK IS OPENED FOR APPROX. 20 MINUTES, LOADING OR UNLOADING CAMPING GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ALMOST HALF DOZEN TIMES, AND IT IS BOTH FRUSTRATING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, AS I GENERALLY CAMP BY MYSELF. NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN I PUT IN OR TAKE ANYTHING OUT OF THE HATCHBACK MORE THAN GROCERIES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2021
VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE WORKING ONLY PART OF THE TIME . THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED MORE THAN ONCE AFTER DRIVING THE PREVIOUS DAY . IT'S ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING HAS BEEN LEFT ON ,DRAINING THE BATTERY WHEN I KNOW EVERY THING HAS TURNED OFF . IS THERE SOMETHING THAT STAYS ON AFTER YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF LONG ENOUGH TO DRAIN THE BATTERY ?
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2021
BATTERY DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY PARKED IN GARAGE OR IN PARKING LOT. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THIS STILL HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES.
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2021
SLOWING DRAINING BATTERY, INCREASINGLY HARDER TO START OVER A FEW DAY, AND EVENTUAL DEAD BATTERY REQUIRING JUMP START. BEEPING SOUND (AS IF LIFT GATE WAS OPEN) OCCURRED ON LAST START BEFORE BATTERY DIED.